Great News! The Greatest Banquet
Pastor Jim Miller
September 1, 2024
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Main Topics Discussed
Introduction
Greeting & Recap: Pastor Jim welcomes the congregation and acknowledges recent events.
References the summer sunset concert and praises the congregation for being inviters.
Focus on Outreach: Real Life Church is committed to inviting people in, not just protecting their own.
Highlights the mission to love and invite those in need.
Examples: people living nearby who may be lonely, struggling, or in need of community.
Upcoming Events
Community Groups: A great way for people to connect outside of traditional Bible studies.
Examples of groups: Pickleball group, reading group, Financial Peace University, Cancer Care group.
Story of a man battling cancer who joined the church through a community group.
Halloween Party: A major church event for children and families.
Emphasizes that these events are tools for inviting others into the community of faith.
Transition to Sermon Series: "Great News"
Series Recap: Focusing on the great moments in the Gospels.
Past weeks: Great Commandments (Love God, Love Neighbor), Great Commission (Go and Make Disciples).
Today’s Focus: The Great Banquet – a parable in Luke 14 about the mission of the church.
Scripture Reading: Luke 14:12-24
Context of the Passage: Jesus at a Pharisee's house during a banquet.
Jesus is becoming popular, and Pharisees want to test Him.
Jesus often confronted the Pharisees but kept extending the possibility of relationship.
Main Teaching from Jesus: Don’t invite those who can repay you, but invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind.
Key Verse: Luke 14:12-14 – "When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind."
Challenging the Pharisee's Mindset
The Pharisee likely invited people for recognition, expecting reciprocal invitations.
Jesus’ Radical Teaching: True hospitality involves inviting those who cannot repay you.
Real Life Church's Example:
Hosting a Japanese congregation for free.
Giving away free groceries through the pantry.
Underwriting events like the recent summer concert.
The Great Banquet Parable (Luke 14:15-24)
Jewish Understanding of the Feast: Reflecting the future banquet in the Kingdom of God.
Jesus’ Parable: A man throws a banquet, but those invited make excuses and don’t come.
Excuses: Work, family, and personal responsibilities (common reasons people put faith on hold).
Response from the Host: He invites the poor, crippled, and outsiders, then extends the invitation further to the Gentiles.
Significance: God's kingdom is open to those who are often excluded, and those who reject the invitation miss out on the feast.
Application: Living Out the Invitation
Mission of the Church: Like the host in the parable, the church's role is to invite those who cannot repay.
Real Life Example: The church throws parties and hosts events not to be repaid but to create opportunities for people to encounter Jesus.
God’s Invitation to Us: We are invited to the banquet of eternal life, which we cannot repay. Our job is to extend that same invitation to others.
Practical Application for Congregation
Personal Invitations Matter: The power of inviting someone to church or to know Jesus.
Example: Pastor Jim invited students to a church event, including one who wasn’t a Christian but is starting to seek God.
The Church as a Small Taste of Heaven:
The church is meant to be a preview of the banquet in heaven, where all are invited and welcome.
The joy and celebration seen in events and worship at Real Life Church are reflections of this.
Final Call to Action
Consequences for Individuals: We are called to live without fear and anxiety, knowing God has already prepared a place for us.
Despite the chaos in the world, we are tasked with inviting others to the banquet.
Reference to family vacations, likening life’s challenges to enduring the backseat for the joy at the end of the journey.
Consequences for the World: Extending invitations can have far-reaching impacts.
Story of Constantine's mother’s prayers leading to a shift in the Roman Empire’s treatment of Christians.
Vladimir Putin’s upbringing as an example of how a missed invitation can affect history.
Our Role: We may not see the full ripple effect of our invitations, but they are vital in God’s plan for the world.
Closing Thoughts
Theological Insight: John Calvin said that every time we celebrate communion, we get a small taste of the heavenly banquet.
The church’s mission is to provide that glimpse of heaven on earth and invite others in.
Encouragement: Keep inviting, keep celebrating, and remember that the party is already happening, and our role is to keep inviting others in.
Closing Prayer: A prayer of gratitude for the invitation to God's banquet and asking for guidance to invite others.
Biblical References
Luke 14:12-14 (NIV)
"Then Jesus said to his host, 'When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.'"Luke 14:15 (NIV)
"When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, 'Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.'"Luke 14:16-18 (NIV)
"Jesus replied: 'A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, "Come, for everything is now ready." But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, "I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me."'"Luke 14:21 (NIV)
"The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.'"Luke 15:10 (NIV)
"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
These verses were used to illustrate the themes of invitation, service to others, and the call to extend God's love to all, especially those who cannot repay.
Reflection Questions
What excuses do I tend to make when it comes to prioritizing my faith or inviting others to experience Jesus?
Reflect on the common reasons or distractions that might prevent you from deepening your faith or reaching out to others.
Who in my life might be in need of an invitation to experience the love and community of Jesus?
Consider people in your community, workplace, or family who could benefit from an invitation to church, a community group, or an event.
How can I practice hospitality in a way that reflects Jesus’ teaching to invite those who cannot repay me?
Think about ways to serve and welcome others without expecting anything in return, especially those who might be overlooked.
How can I help Real Life Church be a "small taste of heaven" for those who visit or are new to the community?
Reflect on how you can contribute to making your church a welcoming, joyful, and inclusive place.
What does it mean to live without fear and anxiety, knowing that God has already prepared a place for me in His kingdom?
Contemplate how you can live with peace and confidence in God’s sovereignty, despite the challenges of life, and how that can inspire you to invite others into faith.
Daily Activities
Monday: Identify Someone to Invite
Activity: Reflect on people in your life who might be feeling lonely, struggling, or in need of community (a neighbor, coworker, or even a family member). Pray and ask God to reveal someone to whom you can extend an invitation this week.
Application: This aligns with Jesus’ teaching to invite those who cannot repay. Consider inviting this person to a community group or church event.
Tuesday: Plan a Simple Act of Hospitality
Activity: Practice hospitality by planning a small gathering, like a coffee meet-up or casual meal, and intentionally invite someone who doesn’t usually get invited. Focus on creating a space for connection.
Application: This applies Jesus’ lesson about inviting those who might not be in a position to repay us and reflects the spirit of inclusion He teaches.
Wednesday: Serve Those in Need
Activity: Find a local food pantry, community service opportunity, or even a neighbor in need and dedicate some time to serve. Consider joining a church outreach event or helping at Real Life’s food pantry.
Application: This puts into action the call to serve and give to those who cannot repay, just as the church does with its grocery giveaways and events.
Thursday: Extend a Personal Invitation
Activity: Invite a friend, coworker, or acquaintance to an upcoming church event, community group, or Sunday service. Make the invitation personal, whether it’s through a phone call, text, or face-to-face conversation.
Application: This aligns with the message of extending invitations, knowing the impact it can have on someone’s life and their journey toward faith.
Friday: Reflect on Your Invitation to God’s Banquet
Activity: Take time to reflect and journal about how God has invited you into His "banquet," the eternal life and community with Him. How has this invitation changed your life, and how can you keep inviting others?
Application: This helps you live with gratitude for God’s grace and reminds you of the importance of continuing to extend that same grace and invitation to others.
These activities integrate the sermon’s key themes of outreach, hospitality, and inviting others into community, reflecting the heart of Jesus' teaching in Luke 14.
